Jon Yasuda, Senior Vice President, Resource Development,
Interim CEO
As senior vice president, resource development, and interim CEO, Jon Yasuda provides visionary and inspirational leadership in Opportunity International’s efforts to bring savings-based microfinance services to rural areas in countries around the world, with a particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. Jon joined Opportunity in 2008 as a regional director covering the Los Angeles area. In 2009, Jon was promoted to vice president of resource development, with responsibility for major gift fundraising in the western third of the United States. In November 2010, Jon was promoted to senior vice president responsible for the growth of the private sector development program, including individual, business, private foundation and planned giving. Prior to joining Opportunity, Jon spent 25 years in the broadcasting industry, culminating in the role of president and CEO of Asian Media Group, overseeing the strategic planning and operations of two television stations in Los Angeles and Honolulu. As part of his broadcasting career, Jon also spent 14 years in sales, marketing and management of Spanish language television and radio stations. Jon has always been active in community service and currently serves on the board of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). He also has served as president of the board of Pasadena Christian School, and as a board member of both the Boy Scouts of America (Monterey County) and the American Red Cross (Monterey County). In May 2001, the city of Los Angeles honored him for his outstanding community service in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Jon received a B.A. in economics from the University of California at Los Angeles. He and his wife Silvia live in the Chicago area and have two young adult daughters, Andreana and Danielle.
Richard C. John, Senior VP, Finance and Administration, and CFO
Richard John came to Opportunity in 1996 following a distinguished 18-year career at Amoco Corporation (now BP), most recently as the process reengineering manager with Corporate Purchasing and Amoco Shared Services in Chicago. Prior to that, he was chief financial officer, controller and administration manager for Amoco Polymers, Inc., and plant finance and administration manager for the Amoco Chemical Company. Before joining Amoco, Rick spent five years at Price Waterhouse (now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers) as the supervising senior auditor. He was listed in “Who’s Who in Finance and Industry” and has been a featured presenter at industry conferences and seminars. Rick earned an MBA from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is a CPA and member of Financial Executives Institute, AICPA and Institute of Management Accountants.
Dennis Ripley, Senior VP, International Business Development
Dennis Ripley is responsible for securing funds from government, multilateral and financial institution donors; overseeing Opportunity’s funding and investments in more than 20 countries; developing and managing strategic alliances with other NGOs, such as Habitat for Humanity and Compassion International; and co-leading strategic planning for Opportunity International. Dennis’ interest in humanitarian issues began in the early 1980s with his church’s sponsorship of a refugee family and his own family’s fostering of two Vietnamese children. From 1988-1992, Dennis was founding president of Exodus World Service in Roselle, Illinois, a humanitarian agency devoted to mobilizing community groups, families and individuals on behalf of refugees settling in the United States. He also served as director of program services, vice president and director of World Relief Corporation’s Refugee Services. Dennis received a master of divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. He completed his B.A. at Evangel College in Springfield, Mo.
Jennifer Mitrenga, Senior VP, Outreach and New Initiatives
Jennifer joined Opportunity International’s Resource Development group in August 2007 as a director focused on new business fundraising initiatives. She was a founding member of the Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO) and co-led the first YAO trip to Africa in September 2009. She has a background in financial services, having run a wealth management business for seven years at Goldman Sachs & Co., where she advised high-net worth individuals, families and private foundations. Prior to that, she was an associate in audit and internal consulting for Bank One Corporation, overseeing its merger with JP Morgan Chase. Jennifer currently serves on the board of Humanity Calls, the Young Leader’s Board of the Executives’ Club of Chicago and the Dean’s Advisory Council of the University of Illinois College of Business. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois–Urbana/Champaign with a B.A. in finance, accounting, and a minor in international business. Jennifer is a Certified Public Accountant and CFA designated. She resides in Chicago, Ill., and enjoys reading, running, skiing and spending time with family/friends.
Mark Lutz, Senior VP, Global Philanthropy
Mark Lutz is Opportunity International’s senior vice president of global philanthropy. He joined Opportunity in 1989 and brings 30 years of development experience to his position. In his present role, Mark creates strategic alliances with other international development organizations, and advocates for the poor. While overseeing resource development, he grew Opportunity’s private annual revenue from $1 million to $40 million. Mark’s extensive international experience shapes his marketing and fundraising efforts. He grew up in South Africa with his missionary parents, and visited some 20 countries before attending college. Living for almost 20 years under apartheid prepared him to become an advocate for justice. He has written a book, UnPoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor, in which he tells the stories of people he has visited around the world, and calls us to end extreme poverty during our lifetime. Mark has a degree in music and a master’s in cross cultural communications from Wheaton College. He and his wife, Lise, enjoy an empty nest in Glen Ellyn, Ill., where they raised three children.
Connie Stryjak, Senior VP, Human Resources
Connie Stryjak came to Opportunity from the GE Capital organization, where she held several senior management positions, including vice president of human resources at GE Capital Aviation Services in Shannon, Ireland. Before moving to Ireland, Connie worked for GE Capital Railcar Services as manager of pensions and compensations and served as manager of training and development. Prior to joining GE Capital, she worked for the Administrative Management Group as consultant/account manager to approximately 45 clients for a variety of employee benefit programs, and for the Little Company of Mary Health Care Systems. Connie graduated from Governors State University in University Park, Ill., with a B.A. in business and personnel management. She also has professional training and is a certified instructor for Zenger-Miller Frontline Leadership, Wilson Learning Innovation Series, DDI Techniques and Strategies, and Life Orientations.
